Washing-machine



(N0 Model.)

S. J. STOKESv WASHING MACHINE.

No. 445,458. Patented Jan. 27,1891.

NlTED STATES PATENT Price.

SAMUEL J. STOKES, OF HOLTS SUMMIT, lllISSOURl.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,458, dated January 27,1891.

Application filed August 7, 1890. Serial No. 361,261. (No model.)

To all whom it Hwy concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. STOKES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Holts Summit, in the county of Callaway, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ashing-Machincs; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in washing-machines; and it consists in certain novel features, which I will hereinafter fully describe and claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved washer showing the lid raised. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the washer complete. Fig. :3 is a detail of the rubbing.

The body of my improved washer is preferably constructed so as to be rectangu ar oblong in form, and consists of the three compartments 1 2 3. Compartment lisintended for holding hot water ready to be used as wanted, while in compartment 2 is located the wash-board proper, which lies horizontally and is held in pos tion parallel with the median line of the box by means of the spiral springs B, which may be increased in number, as desired. These springs rest on the bottom of the compartment and reach upward against the bottom of the wash-board. Cleats or ribs 4 are secured transversely to the box upon the partitions 5 at a point so that the wash-board will be held from rising above the center of the compartment, but will readily enable the same to have a downward movement upon the springs. The upper surface of the wash-board is properly roughened or corrugated diagonally or otherwise, and is also provided with a sufficient number of holes, so that the water underneath, the board may easily percolate through such holes, as will be hereinafter referred to. The rubbing device, which I will now proceed to describe. is intended to occupy the major portion of the space above the wash board.

The rubber consists of the frame 6, which carries upon its under side a series of rollers 7, which are of a sufficient length to reach entirely across compartment 2, and, being properlyprovided with bearings in the frame 6, they will be enabled to rotate when moving forward and backward, as will be explained. The middle part of the frame 6 is formed on each end of its central line with openings 8, through which passes the rod 9, each end of which is properly secured to the lid 10, as shown. The frame 6, carrying the rollers justreferred to, is somewhat shorter than the compartment 2, thereby enabling the said frame and its accompanying rollers to reciprocate within said compartment. This reciprocating movement is communicated to the rubbing device by means of a pitman, one end of which is secured to the front end of the frame 6, while the other end reaches outward and upward and is secured to the lever 12, which in turn is properly and pivotally secured in bearings located in the standards 13, which are practically a continuation of the front legs of the washer. The upper side of the frame 6 is provided with four rollers, one upon each corner, which are adapted to press against the lower side of the lid and thus reduce the friction to a minimum when the rubbing device is moving backward and forward in use.

It will be observed that compartment 3 is smaller than the others. The object of this compartment is to provide a seat "for the wringer, which may be attached to one of the sides, and the extracted water will be received by said compartment. A suitable lid 10 is provided, so that it will cover compartments 1 and 2, the front end of which is properly hinged to the sides of the box immediately behind the standards, while the free end is provided with a suitable hook or locking device, so that the contents of the washer will be effectively retained when the lid is closed.

In operation, the clothing to be washed is placed upon the wash-board after compart-' ments 1 and 2 have been properlyfiilled with hot water, when the lid is loweredand securely fastened, thus bringing the rubbing device snugly down upon the clothes, when the lever may be caused to vibrate, which in turn will communicate a reciprocating movement to the rubbing device, causing the rollers to pass over the garments with asuflicient agitation to effect a thorough cleansing thereof. It Will be seen that the Water under the washdioard can readily pass upward through the holes in such. board as the board is forced downward by action of the rubbing device.

I \Vhen it is desired to remove the clothes, the

lid is raised, which in turn lifts the rubbing device from off the clothes, when the same may be easily removed and replaced by others and the operation repeated indefinitely.

It is thought that the advantages and operation of my invention will be readily apparent without further description.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In an improved Washing-machine, the combination, with the body having the three compartments, as described, of the clovrn\i ai'dly-= movable Wash-board, the upper surface of which is properly corrugated, the rubbing device consisting of the frame carrying on its under side a series of rollers and movably attached to the lid by suitable eyelets or stapics, the lid carrying the rubbing device by means of the downwardly-bent rod, each end of which is secured to the lid after passing through the openings in the ends of the frame, the pitman connected to said frame, and the operating-lever, all substantially as set forth, and for the purpose named.

In testimony whereof I affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. I

SAMUEL J. STOKES. Witnesses:

PERRY Hour, G. W. Bonus. 

